In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said that Thunberg "did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations—because they never occurred". It added that Thunberg and several other detainees had declined offers of expedited deportation, choosing instead to remain in custody
Israeli authorities detained about 450 people, including Greta Thunberg, four French parliamentarians, and several international activists. PIC/X
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has strongly denied reports alleging the mistreatment of climate activist Greta Thunberg and other detainees from the Gaza-bound flotilla, calling the claims “brazen lies” and insisting that “all the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld”, news agency ANI reported.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said that Thunberg "did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations—because they never occurred". It added that Thunberg and several other detainees had declined offers of expedited deportation, choosing instead to remain in custody.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla on Friday as it attempted to breach the naval blockade on Gaza with over 40 vessels.
About 450 people were detained, including Thunberg, four French parliamentarians, and several international activists.
According to Israeli authorities, the flotilla was not carrying humanitarian aid and was instead “seeking confrontation in the service of Hamas”. The foreign ministry further said that documents recovered in Gaza indicated direct Hamas involvement in organising and funding the flotilla, which it described as a “tight-knit” operation aimed at provoking Israeli forces, ANI reported.
Efforts to deport the detainees are ongoing, but have been slowed owing to legal challenges and what officials described as the “reluctance of some foreign governments to accept return flights for these provocateurs”. So far, 137 detainees who accepted voluntary deportation have been flown to Turkey, while organisers claim that 328 remain in custody.
Pro-flotilla groups have alleged poor conditions in detention, including claims that Thunberg was held in a cell with bedbugs and denied adequate food and water, ANI reported. Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed these allegations as fabrications, stating that all detainees are being treated in accordance with both Israeli and international law.
The controversy intensified after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly said he was “proud” that flotilla detainees were being treated “like terrorists” — a remark that sparked condemnation from several foreign governments.
Meanwhile, four French detainees have begun a hunger strike in protest of their continued detention. An American Congressman is also circulating a letter demanding the release of a detained Jewish-American activist.
Israel and Egypt have enforced a blockade on Gaza since 2007, aimed at preventing weapons smuggling after Hamas took control of the territory. Activist flotillas have periodically challenged the blockade, most notably in 2010 during the Mavi Marmara incident, in which a UN inquiry later criticised Israel’s use of force but upheld the legality of the blockade itself.
The latest flotilla comes nearly a year after Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 252 hostages taken. Of the 48 hostages still held, about 20 are believed to be alive.
(With ANI inputs)
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